Synth Programmer

[Magnus Danielson]

> 
>   Anyone want to make a hard and fast vote on a processor? The 68000 sounds
>   very cool and powerful 
> 
> Yes, it is. It's not that expensive either, but there are quite a few
> options in the range that are code compatible. And available in a number of
> clock speeds 8-20mhz for the basic 680xx series
> 
> However you are going up to 16bit data bus - which adds overheads in terms
> of requiring to access memory in 16 bit words (twice the number of RAM
> chips ?)
> 
> However the 68008 might be a consideration - same instruction set only with
> an 8 bit data bus - reduces the external circuit complexity.

The 68008 has struck my mind here as well...

The general 68000 can happily deal with 8 bit values so I don't consider it
a problem. Also, you can quite simply fold the 16 bit bus into a 8 bit if it
is a bother... it is done in millions PCs everyday....

> The 68xxx series are excellent in situations requiring management of
> multiple interrupts - the ability to prioritize software interrupts and a
> hardware interrupt - I guess this is the main reason for its inclusion in
> the uWave - prioritizing between generating the wavetable audio and
> updating the LCD, scanning the midi info etc.
> Probably far more power than is needed here ?
> 
> Although interfacing 8bit ADC/DAC's is straightforward, it is not the best
> type of data to try to process with a 16 bit uP. Since the 680xx series has
> to work a bit harder on 8bit data - extra masking etc. - seems a bit
> wasteful

What if we go for a 10 bit ADC/DAC solution instead.... or 12 bit?

>   OTOH, half of the group seems inclined towards the 8051 line. If this
>   thing can run a Jupiter I'm sure it can do what we're trying to do.
> 
> Run a Jupiter ?? Not sure on this one - the JP4 runs on a 8048 if thats
> what you mean, the JP8 is powered by a Z80. In fact I'd suggest considering
> the Z80 range - the instruction set is richer than the 8051 and has many
> similarities to 68xxx, and it's already proven in numerous synth designs ?

The 8048 is up a diffrent tree than the 8051...

Magnus